Please be advised that the Tram will be closed on Sunday, March 3rd to facilitate required maintenance work. Service will resume with one cabin in operation on Monday, March 4th at 6 AM.

What are my travel alternatives?

Red Bus Shuttle service will be available to and from the Manhattan Tram Station on Sunday, March 3rd from 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM, beginning from the R.I. Tram Station.

Red Bus Shuttle pick-up locations:

Manhattan: Southwest corner of 58th St. and 2nd Ave.

Roosevelt Island: Tram Station Plaza

MTA subway F line (mta.info) and the NYC Ferry service (ferry.nyc) are available to and from Manhattan.

Q102 MTA Bus service is also an option to connect to Midtown Manhattan-bound trains at Queensboro Plaza.

Why is this work happening?

The Roosevelt Island Tram is undergoing two major maintenance projects, consisting of rope relocations and gearbox overhauls. This required work is to ensure the safest transportation system possible and to extend its service life into the future.

An occasional column of questions and answers to and from RIOC President and CEO Susan Rosenthal

HEY SUSAN!

I have a few concerns. There was considerable talk that the dog park would be moved to the area just south of 480 Main Street and adjacent to the sprinklers and playground. This area is already congested in the summer with considerable foot, bike, and RIOC vehicle traffic. Has there been a decision where the permanent home will be for the dog park and if 480 is that location, can you please reconsider?

Also, what is the hold up on the new tram station elevator? There has not been any progress for months on that site and the old elevator is breaking down more than ever. Is there a reason why they have not been working on it?

Lastly, the construction on the new Southtown building blocking the side walk is a traffic accident waiting to happen. The residents of 480 are forced to cross the street without a crosswalk and the view from both directions is limited for drivers and pedestrians. This paired with area driveways results in a lot of cars turning and people walking with no crosswalk. Can RIOC address this?

SUSAN: We chose the dog park location based upon the locations of other dog parks throughout NYC’s parks. The issues you raise can be handled with fencing, gate locations, and landscaping. Also, by locating the run there, we will have more open common space for all residents when Riverwalk buildings 8 and 9 are completed. Hudson-Related has shared some of their recreational ideas for that open space and it will be a great addition to the island. We have reviewed the issues you raised about the dog run with PSD (our Chief and Deputy have extraordinary experience in security and safety from their NYPD days) and they are confident that this location will not cause any unmanageable concerns.

Regarding the Manhattan Tram elevator, the construction drawings had to be revised because soil borings demonstrated a need to change the pile foundation design to support the structure. RIOC hired additional engineers to assist in the necessary modifications, which have been completed. We are now awaiting NYC Department of Buildings’ and NY Transit Authority approval, as well as the NYC Parks permit in order to proceed.

PSD was made aware of sidewalk safety issues around the new Southtown building construction and added signage for the protection of our pedestrians.

HEY SUSAN!

Any thoughts to providing charging stations for electric/hybrid cars in Motorgate? Electric cars are the future. Can you help by providing a means to help clean the air on Roosevelt Island?

SUSAN: Yes, we are doing more than thinking about charging stations! After the completion of the waterproofing project at Motorgate Garage, (we expect the project to be approved by the Board in April), we have plans for charging stations, new striping, and new signage. The current plan is for four charging stations, with the possibility of expanding to six.

HEY SUSAN!

Hopefully this $8.7 Million sea wall initiative has taken into consideration the rapidly rising sea level that came very close to taking RI out during storm Sandy?

SUSAN: The project you are referring to is for new seawall railings around the entire island. The seawall railing contractor has been repairing concrete damage on the face and topside of the seawall as they work northward. We also have a FEMA grant which is being used to repair an existing part of the seawall made of stone that was damaged in hurricane Irene.

We are in the midst of a seawall replacement project which will completely transform and beautify the east and west shorelines of Southpoint Park. The existing concrete retaining wall will be replaced by a “rip rap” revetment – basically, a sloping berm of armor stones that serve a similar purpose as a retaining wall, but is more cost effective to install and maintain, while allowing better access to the water. Along with the revetment, the project will remove the scrub brush along the existing seawall and replace it with professionally landscaped paths and seating for island residents and visitors. Once the scrub is removed in these areas, the views will be excellent and this area will become much more attractive as a destination for residents, especially in the warmer months.

We are continuing to evaluate the rest of the existing seawall to determine where replacement with a durable revetment is needed.

HEY SUSAN!

The men's locker room at the Sportspark pool has fallen into a state of disrepair. Issues include: handicap-access showerhead malfunctioning, one of the urinals malfunctioning, and the swimsuit-drying machine not working. This is on top of the chronic issues of: warped, dusty and rusting lockers, soap dispensers frequently empty, and a lack of anti-slip matting that make the wet floors a daily hazard for little wet feet. Thank you so much for your team's attention to this. I understand that a complete overhaul of the facility (while long overdue) would be a large investment. But routine plumbing repairs, some anti-slip mats, and closer attention to things like soap & paper towels would cost little and go a long way.

SUSAN: Thank you for reaching out regarding the locker rooms at Sportspark. We have a significant project addressing the bathrooms, locker rooms, HVAC system, and much more, which we intend to bring to the Board on March 7th in order to move forward with construction/design drawings.

We will address the other points you have raised with our maintenance staff. Thank you for bringing them to our attention.

... will need to expand the work staging area to include the Tram Station middle platforms on both the Roosevelt Island and Manhattan sides. As a result, for safety precautions, the middle platforms on both sides will be closed.

During the current work on the North Tram cables, Tram passengers will load and unload on the South Platform.

Since the MTA Metrocard turnstlyes will not be moved, Tram passengers will ride for free while the middle platforms are out of service. RIOC estimates approximately $750 Thousand in lost Tram revenue during this period.

When work begins on the South Tram cables, there will be some days when no elevator service is available at the Manhattan Tram Station. RIOC plans on running the Red Bus Express when elevator service is out....

Leitner-POMA, operators of the Roosevelt Island Tramway and the entity responsible for scheduled maintenance work, have notified the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) that, due to safety concerns, there will be changes to the construction set-up and site-plan. While this will not extend the overall timeline for the scheduled work, it will affect accessibility to both the Manhattan and Roosevelt Island Tram platforms.

In addition, this work will necessitate four (4) separate days of a complete Tram shutdown throughout the planned 12 week project. Leitner-POMA has assured RIOC that they will provide notice at least 48 hours prior to any shutdown. Due to the changes requiring an expanded footprint to the construction site-plan for both stations, the following guidelines will be put in place to ensure safe and efficient service for all passengers while this work is being done:

Passenger Entry and Exit Patterns at Tram Station Platforms- Signage will be placed on both platforms to direct passengers entering and exiting the Tram. Due to the limited standing room on the Manhattan Tram station platform, passengers will be queuing on street level. Leitner-POMA and Roosevelt Island Public Safety officers will help provide directions to passengers entering and exiting both stations.

Manhattan Tram Plaza Elevators- There will be limited accessibility to these elevators during the construction period. Passengers with mobility limitations are encouraged to utilize alternate transportation options which include: F train, Ferry (Astoria Line), Q102 MTA Bus, Red Bus Shuttle, or to contact the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545 in the case of an emergency. Transportation and information links can be found on our website at rioc.ny.gov.

MTA Machines and Turnstiles- During a period of the project schedule, passengers will not have access to turnstiles and MetroCard machines. The purchase of Metrocards will not be available on either side during those times.

Roosevelt Island Station Restrooms- Temporary restrooms will be available near the Roosevelt Island Tram station and will remain for the duration of the project.

“We understand that these changes will have a negative impact on daily travel plans, but our foremost concern is the safety of our riders,” said Susan Rosenthal, CEO and President of RIOC. “We will make every effort to keep a timely flow of passenger travel and implement updated procedures, when necessary throughout this project, to keep delays to a minimum.”

To receive the most timely updates on this project, we encourage residents and riders to visit rioc.ny.gov and sign-up for RIOC community advisories. You can also submit a concern or provide feedback regarding this project through the Report a Problem link on our website. For any additional inquiries, please call 212-832-4540.

More scenes from this morning's Roosevelt Island Tram Station boarding.

The project is currently on schedule to last for at least 2 more months.

UPDATE 2/28 - The Manhattan Tram station is collecting fares at this time.

... Leading the weekly classes since 2007, and choreographing New York City Housing Authority shows since 2002, is their fast-stepping dance instructor, the trim and pony-tailed, Fu Manchu-mustachioed, gold-earringed and bracelet-bangled Bernard Dove, 69, a fixture — no, a blur — at New York’s dance palaces since pre-disco days....

The OPEN DOORS Reality Poets present a community poetry reading celebrating the release of their forthcoming anthology, "Wheeling and Healing."

The Reality Poets will share their work, then open the floor for community members to share their own poetry. Bring a poem you've written or a poem you love!

OPEN DOORS is an arts and justice initiative on Roosevelt Island, based in the long-term care facility where many members live and work. Collaborating with established artists, members use storytelling, hip-hop, and spoken word to chellenge audiences to combat the injustice that breeds violence in our cities.

"Wheeling and Healing" is a poetry anthology edited by the OPEN DOORS Reality Poets. The Reality Poets invited residents of their long-term care facility, neighbors on Roosevelt Island, mentors, and friends to contribute poems toward a message of realness, resilience, and healing.

Only if he had raised his arm about an inch or two / I wouldn’t have to be telling my story to you
I can’t even teach my son how to play ball / Or pick up and run if he needs me at the drop of a call
Is this a punishment for all the wrong that I did? / Now I’ve been sentenced to this wheelchair doing a life-sentence bid...

and video of Mr. Lawrence reciting his poetry.

The Open Doors Reality Poets will also be doing a reading from their Wheeling And Healing Anthology on Monday March 11 at the Housing Works Bookshop Cafe in Soho (126 Cosby Street).

The medical needs of this 2 mile long historic island on the East River is a perfect landscape for our services.

RIUC is the first health care facility on the Island. Currently local residents must travel to either Manhattan or Astoria, for treatment—a trip that requires the use of a tram, subway, bus or car. Our facility in essence created a full-service medical center for a growing population of 15,000. RIUC is here to serve your needs.

These needs will increase in the near future with the addition of new multi-family developments and the new Cornell NYC Tech campus, which is under construction and due to open this year. The University is relying on our center to tend to the medical needs of the students and faculty. Roosevelt Island Urgent Care is also well positioned to provide services to the many construction workers who are on the Island during the next few years.

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WELCOME TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND

Welcome to the Roosevelt Islander Online!

Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.

The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.